#54 Clarify Your Why with Talia Riley

From Grief to Gratitude: I recorded this podcast 2 days after my dad passed away on my birthday, and want to honor him today on his birthday. Today November 12, I honor the birthday of my beloved dad, Vincent Stewart Lantz, born November 12, 1955. I love him so much, and celebrating his birthday without him here brings both tears and deep gratitude for the gift of being his daughter. In this heartfelt episode of Creating Confident Communication, I reflect on finding gratitude and moments of joy in the midst of grief and life’s trials. Gratitude doesn’t erase the ache of missing someone. Sometimes it means making room for both the tears and the smile, the longing and the love. There is no timeline for grief and no need to force ourselves to feel joyful. But even in difficult seasons, we can notice small gifts: a cherished memory, a kind word, a moment of connection. We can let joy in without leaving our loved ones behind. This episode is for anyone carrying heartache while searching for something to be thankful for. May you feel less alone and give yourself permission to grieve, to laugh, and to find goodness along the way. Happy birthday, Dad. I miss you. I love you. And I am forever grateful I get to be your daughter. always and forever your oldest daughter Talia Jean Riley. I will follow your example and continue to strive to be a master storyteller like you!

Weston Brandon’s work was forged under extreme pressure. Just days after the premature birth of his son, his wife passed away unexpectedly, leaving him navigating overwhelming grief while his newborn fought for survival in the NICU. In a moment where most would shut down, Weston was forced to operate, make decisions, and keep moving forward inside a high-stakes medical environment. That experience shaped his understanding of what happens when pressure is not managed well, and what becomes possible when it is. Today, Weston Brandon is a keynote speaker specializing in burnout prevention and sustainable performance for teams operating under pressure. He works with healthcare organizations, universities, and high-performance environments to help leaders and teams improve retention, strengthen resilience, and execute at a higher level without burning out. At the core of his work is the D.R.I.V.E. Framework, a practical, repeatable system that equips individuals and teams to regulate stress in real time, challenge limiting beliefs, and build the internal resilience required to perform consistently in demanding environments. His approach blends lived experience, neuroscience-backed principles, and actionable tools leaders can apply immediately within their teams. Weston is trusted by healthcare organizations, university athletic departments, and student leadership groups to deliver high-impact keynotes that translate into stronger team cohesion, improved performance, and more resilient cultures. His work helps organizations move from reactive burnout cycles to sustainable systems that hold up under real-world pressure.. https://westonbrandon.com

In this episode of Creating Confident Communication, I’m joined by Christian Hansen, two-time #1 bestselling author, LinkedIn Top 10 ranked author, and creator of The Influence Mindset series. Why do some people consistently get chosen for opportunities, promotions, partnerships, and leadership while others with equal talent get overlooked? Christian shares the practical communication skills and mindset shifts that help you stand out in a genuine, authentic way. Together, we explore how the words you choose, the questions you ask, and the way you communicate can dramatically influence the opportunities that come your way. You’ll discover why influence isn’t about manipulation, it’s about creating trust, communicating your value, and helping others clearly see the unique strengths you bring. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, speaker, or simply someone who wants stronger relationships and greater impact, this conversation will give you actionable tools to communicate with more confidence, increase your influence, and become someone people naturally want to choose. If you’ve ever wondered how to communicate in a way that opens doors, builds meaningful connections, and creates new possibilities, this episode is for you.

People Create Possibilities is the podcast that reminds you your next breakthrough is often just one conversation away. Join Talia as she explores how meaningful relationships, humble confidence, vulnerability, and genuine connection create extraordinary opportunities in life and business. Through inspiring stories and practical insights, you'll discover how showing up authentically opens doors, deepens relationships, and unlocks possibilities you never imagined. If you're ready to elevate your mindset, expand your network, and create a life filled with greater purpose, opportunity, and connection, this podcast is for you.

If your why does not move you, it will not move your life. In this episode of Creating Confident Communication, we go deeper than surface level goals and step into the kind of purpose that actually transforms you. Not the kind you think sounds good, but the kind you feel. The kind that stops you, stirs your soul, and might even bring you to tears. Because your why is not meant to just live in your head. It is meant to live in your heart. Through my Worthy Now commitments and the SOAR model, I will walk you through how to Clarify your why in a way that feels real and aligned Connect to the emotion behind it so it fuels your actions Communicate it with confidence so others can feel it too And create results that reflect who you truly are becoming This is not about pressure. It is about purpose. It is about getting honest enough to ask yourself Does my why actually move me? Because when your why is clear and you can feel it, everything changes. You stop hesitating. You stop shrinking. You start living Worthy Now.

Ben Kjar is a motivational speaker, athlete, and advocate for resilience, known for his powerful story of overcoming adversity. Born without arms due to amniotic band syndrome, Ben learned early in life that limitations do not define potential. A state champion wrestler in Utah, Ben went on to compete at the collegiate level and later on the world stage, becoming the first wrestler without arms to win a match at the World Championships. His achievements have earned national recognition and inspired audiences across the country. Beyond athletics, Ben is a devoted husband and father, a successful speaker, and a champion for individuals with disabilities. Through his talks, he shares lessons on perseverance, mindset, faith, and choosing hope in the face of challenges. Ben’s message is simple yet profound: we are capable of far more than we believe when we focus on what’s possible. https://www.benkjar.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rp5QsPEu2pk Trailer to Standout in theaters 1/23/26

Today, we’re talking about Clarifying Your Why because when you know your purpose, your mission, and your reason, everything changes. 💫 When your vision aligns with your values, you move through life with congruence and confidence, creating not just goals, but growth. In this episode, we’ll explore how to uncover what truly drives you, how to reconnect with the dreams that light your soul, and how clarity becomes the foundation for living and leading with purpose. Let’s dive in and start clarifying your why… so you can move forward fully aligned with who you are and what you’re here to do. 🌿

LINDSAY SCHIESS Lindsay is a curious soul who finds joy in people, pancakes, and sleeping under the stars (preferably not all at once). She laughs loudly, cries during commercials, and is always up for a mountain wander or a deep conversation. More than anything, she loves people. As a mom to four and wife to one very patient man, she believes in the simple truth from a popular children's song: "God gave us families to help us become who He wants us to be." She's convinced that families are life's greatest classroom-where we learn how to love, grow, mess up, say sorry, and try again (and again...and again). Lindsay is a therapist, a professor at the University of Utah, and a podcast host-which basically means she asks a lot of questions and never stops being fascinated by what makes people tick. She believes in the goodness of people and the resilience of the human spirit. Join Lindsay and Talia for a great conversation on confident communication!

Heather Nielsen is a speaker, mentor, and tech-savvy business coach helping women grow aligned, purpose-filled businesses. As founder of DivineDaughter.org, she empowers faith-driven women to rise in clarity and confidence—without sacrificing what matters most. A mother of five, Heather champions both family life and meaningful entrepreneurship. • Use code Miracle20 to save $20 on your VIP in-person ticket • Use code Miracle5 to save $5 on your virtual livestream ticket Receive Weekly Miracle Messages & Music | Divine Daughter

Tenacious or Time Bomb? Welcome back to Creating Confident Communication! Today we’re exploring a choice that determines whether we soar in our personal and professional lives or crash and burn. Every day, in our business interactions, parenting moments, and personal relationships, we face this fundamental question: Will I be tenacious or will I be a time bomb? As someone who’s navigated life’s intense challenges and learned to transform pressure into growth, I want to share how this choice shapes not just our immediate reactions, but our entire ability to communicate with confidence and create the connections we truly want. Do you want to communicate better and have greater relationships with family, coworkers, and yourself? Your transformation starts here!